Pyxis Pioneer Cargo ship carrying LPG from US arrives at Mangalore Port amid West Asia crisis

Mangalore: Amid the ongoing supply disruptions in West Asia, a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, named Pyxis Pioneer, carrying Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Texas in the US has arrived at New Mangalore Port in Karnataka's Mangaluru on Sunday morning. 

Why is the crude oil tanker important?

Amid the ongoing war between US-Israel and Iran, the crude oil vessel holds a very importance as the countries are currently battling with oil and gas shortage.

The shortage has increased since the closure of Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for transition of 25 per cent of the world's seaborne oil trade.

The Singapore-flagged cargo vessel arrived a day after the Aqua Titan, a vessel carrying Russian crude oil, which is transporting 1.1 lakh tonnes of Urals crude, reached the Mangalore port. 

The Aqua Titan had initially set sail from Primorsk in Russia for Rizhao Port in China before diverting to India.

What is Pyxis Pioneer?

The Singapore-flagged Pyxis Pioneer, which is carrying LPG, departed from Nederland, Texas on February 14 and reached the Karnataka coast on Sunday morning.

According to the New Mangalore Port Authority's Daily Vessel Position, tanker, with a gross tonnage of 47,236 tonnes, docked at Berth No. 13 at around 6 am.

Why is it still risky to pass through Hormuz?

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most sensitive sea lanes due to the ongoing conflict between Iran, the US and Israel. This is the same path through which a large part of the global oil and gas supply passes. The movement of many ships has been affected due to the recent attacks and military activities, although India has shown signs of relief in some cases.

Does India have a special exemption?

According to sources, considering India's energy needs, Iran has allowed some Indian ships to pass through this route. Even before this, Indian tankers were made to cross safely.